Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

     The second reading in today’s Sacred Scripture has a pertinent and special meaning for me and perhaps for yourselves.  In his letter to the Philippians St. Paul states, “If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.”  Though Paul is longing to be with the Lord, he finds joy and fulfillment in continuing service to the Lord and His people.  I feel the same way.

    As you know, or maybe not, that all bishops, priests and deacons must at the age of 75 submit their retirements to either the Holy father for bishops and to their bishop for priests. Since I have now turned 75, rather than submit my retirement to our bishop, I have asked him for an extension of my ministry here in greater Honesdale.  His Excellency has granted my request for another year and I am truly grateful.   I humbly ask you, my dear parishioners, to keep me in your prayers that God grant me the strength and fervor to serve you selflessly and with joy.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

September 12-13

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     As our children have returned to the classroom and are opening their minds to the wisdom and truths of God’s creation it also becomes a time for the inquiring mind to delve into the mystery and truth of the Catholic Faith.  On Sunday, September 27 at 2PM, in Holy Family Hall, we will begin the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.  The beginning stages are a time of asking questions and perhaps dispelling myths about our Faith.  Already we have several people who have made inquiries and will hopefully pursue more earnestly a desire to know and befriend the Lord.  The OCIA should not be seen as purely academic exercise.  Though it necessarily involves “knowing” truths it is equally important to see it as a growing relationship with Christ Who desires to lead us to the Father under the tutelage and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

     If you know anyone who may be interested, please direct them to call the parish office and register for the program.

     Also if anyone is interested in mentoring and assisting me in this catechetical ministry please contact me directly.

     It is expected that we will meet every 2 or 3 weeks until  Easter/Pentecost.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

September 5 & 6

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Gospel today presents us with a beautiful Aramaic word “Ephphatha” which should guide our contemplation throughout the coming week.  This word spoken by our Lord is from the language of His and His disciples daily speech.  It is distinct from but related to Hebrew which was used mainly for religious worship.  But it is a word that is familiar to us since it is invoked at our and all Baptisms.  Near the conclusion of the Rite the priest or deacon makes the Sign of the Cross over the lips and the ears of the newly Baptized praying that they receive the Word of God and joyfully proclaim Good News throughout the course of their lives. Yes indeed: “Be opened” , the meaning of this precious word.  But to what we might ask?  The cacophony of the world or the Truth that comes from He Who is the source of our existence?  We need always to  be open to the words of our Savior and to act upon them with a humble and generous heart.

     Sometimes those divine words can be very challenging and there may be the tendency to close or even shut down the Words of eternal life.  By God’s grace, which we receive especially through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist,  the worldly “wax” may be removed and the tongue untied to proclaim the goodness of the Lord.

    Now that the academic year has resumed, we pray that teachers and students alike will “be open” to the Truth of God’s beautiful world and take what they have learned to better themselves and those they encounter through life. 

       I would like to offer thanks to Kathy And Augie Stile who prepared for and brought about the excellent Golf Tournament this past Saturday.  They did a tremendous job for which we offer our utmost thanks.  The Lord blessed us with a perfect day and we’re grateful to Cricket Hill and all   those who participated in this important fundraiser.

     And have you ever been in the swarm of bees?   That’s what it has been like around the parish center.   There is an incredible cluster of women and men who have prepared for and are working the Annual Flea Market.  We have been blessed with a super abundance of donations for which we are grateful and extraordinary volunteers who have given so much time and effort to pull off another successful event.  We thank them and pray that they get a good rest for all they have done.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

The solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15. The day is usually a holy day of obligation for Catholics, but in the the United States, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted this year because the feast day falls on a Saturday, but there will be an 8 AM and a 12 PM Mass celebrated at St. Mary Magdalen Church on August 15.

June 13-14

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We here in the Sacred Scriptures of today 2 Callings, first to the people of Israel then to those selected to be the 12 Apostles. In either case there is the selection by God and then the response, in the former “to be His people; and in the later, to serve His people. Both instances are vocations to a covenantal relationship with God. Remember it is always God Who first calls us and without any arm-twisting awaits our response. Sometimes that response is sluggish or half-hearted, or sadly, no response at all. Nonetheless, Our Lord in His infinite patience waits and occasionally even to our last breath, accepts our “yes” to Him.

Perhaps there is fear of inadequacy or uncertainty about the future that restrains our response either to Faith or to serving the Faith as a priest or religious that stalls our: “here I am Lord, do with me as you wish.” How many reluctant prophets there were and yet, by the grace of God, they eventually said yes to God’s call. That grace can only come to us when as an act of our intellect (God does know best), and our will (His is better than mine) moves us to trust in the plan and future that God has for us even though we see nothing ahead. This is Faith and with it we can move forward in growth and conviction to make or intensify our personal and communal covenant with Him.

Have a restful summer as we enjoy these beautiful days.

With Blessings,

Father Langan

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     As noted in last week’s message this month is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and as we today celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, we ponder the mystery of the Holy Eucharist in conjunction with the Sacred Heart.  From the Heart of our Lord, pierced by the soldier’s lance, flowed His precious Blood which was premeditated at the Last Supper.  What began in the Upper Room was consummated on the Cross. Lest we think that this is just a symbolic gesture we remember the words earlier spoken by our Savior; “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood you will have no life within you.  How much more emphatic could the Lord be?  In fact, many of the Eucharistic miracles that have been verified by scientific examination testify to the fact that the transubstantiated Eucharist is indeed the heart muscle of the crucified and risen Savior.  Of course we are talking about a mystery and that truth does not involve some gross form of cannibalism but rather Divine, incorruptible and living nourishment for the soul.  Just like the mystery of the Trini. which we contemplated last Sunday we accept what Jesus taught even though our limited minds cannot comprehend it.   Such is the nature of Divine love emanating from the Heart of Christ.

     This is the Treasure of all treasures that our Lord left us.  In partaking of the Holy Eucharist, we pray that He make our hearts like unto His since that after all is what is uniting with our lowly nature.  Are we worthy of such a treasure? No. Are we privileged to receive Him? Yes.  And we make every effort to receive Him reverently and humbly by cleansing our souls through Confession and approaching Him in Communion by a humble bow, extending our tongues or the throne of our hands before our hearts after the affirmation of our Faith in saying audibly “AMEN”

     Today, we especially give witness to our Faith in the Holy Eucharist by our outside procession as we accompany our Eucharistic Lord. This will occur following the 1030 Mass.  Even if you have attended an earlier Mass try to make every effort to join us.

      This month many will be celebrating graduations from various academic institutions.  The parish family of St. John, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Joseph, and St. Bernard extend our best wishes to all graduates with prayers for a blessed future in all your endeavors.

With Blessings,

Father Langan